Christmas Photoshoot Preparation Guide 2026
This guide brings together everything you need to know before your Christmas photoshoot, from arriving at the studio and choosing what to wear to preparing your children for the session.
The aim is simple: to help you arrive feeling prepared, make the most of your time in the studio and keep the experience as relaxed and enjoyable as possible.
Before You Leave Home
A few simple things will help everything run smoothly:
• Plan your journey in advance and allow extra time for traffic.
• Arrive already dressed for the indoor set.
• Bring any shoes you would like to wear in the photographs separately, with completely clean soles.
• Have any layers and accessories for the winter set ready so they can be added quickly.
• Make sure young children are well rested and have eaten before leaving home.
• If you are unsure about your outfits, you are welcome to send me photos or links before your session.
For Main Sessions, I recommend choosing one main outfit for the indoor set and adapting it for the winter set with layers and accessories.
Although Main Sessions allow up to two outfits, in most cases there is no need for two complete outfit changes.
For Wednesday Mini Sessions, please arrive fully dressed and ready in the outfit you would like to wear for your session.
Address, Parking & Arrival
7 Fairfields Close, NW9 0PH
Free parking is available on the driveway. Please park considerately so there is enough space for another car.
Sessions are scheduled closely together, so arriving on time is very important. I recommend allowing at least 30 minutes of extra travel time, particularly if you are travelling from further away or during busy periods.
If you arrive early, please wait in your car until your scheduled session time. This gives me time to finish with the previous family and prepare the studio for you.
Please keep in mind that arriving late may reduce the amount of time available for your session.
How to Plan Your Outfits
For Christmas 2026, I recommend keeping your outfits simple and intentional.
Rather than planning two completely different looks, choose one main outfit that works beautifully with the indoor set, then adapt it for the winter set with layers and accessories.
A coat, cardigan, knit, scarf or pair of boots can completely change the feel of an outfit without taking time away from the session for a full change.
And one important thing to remember:
The set already brings the Christmas atmosphere. Your clothes do not need to be Christmas-themed.
You do not need Christmas jumpers, festive prints or matching seasonal outfits for the photographs to feel Christmassy.
The aim is for your family to look elegant, natural and visually connected, while still looking like yourselves.
Indoor Set
The indoor set has a warm, natural palette with cream, beige, brown, wood, green Christmas trees and warm golden lights.
There are two directions that work especially well.
Natural / Tonal
For a soft, warm and elegant look that blends beautifully with the set, choose shades such as:
• ivory
• cream
• oatmeal
• beige
• camel
• taupe
• warm brown
You do not need everyone in the family to wear the same shade.
A mix of cream, camel and warm brown will usually feel more natural and visually interesting than dressing everyone identically.
Rich Contrast
If you prefer a little more separation from the warm neutral background, deeper colours work beautifully:
• navy
• forest green
• burgundy
• wine
These tones stand out against the softer palette of the set without feeling overly festive or themed.
For families, one or two people wearing the deeper colour is often enough, while the rest of the palette can stay softer and more neutral.
Textures That Work Well
Texture can make a simple outfit feel much more considered.
Good options include:
• knitwear
• wool
• velvet
• corduroy
• cashmere-style fabrics
• subtle lace
• satin used sparingly
Mixing two or three textures adds depth without needing lots of colours or patterns.
Camel and warm neutrals blend softly with the indoor set.
Outdoor Set
This set has a cooler palette, with deep navy and blue-black tones, Christmas trees and snow.
Because of this, warmer colours tend to create beautiful separation and bring softness to the photographs.
Colours that work especially well include:
• burgundy
• wine red
• chocolate brown
• warm brown
• rust
• cognac
• camel
• cream
• ivory
I would avoid building the entire outfit around black, charcoal or navy for this set, particularly for coats or other large pieces.
Burgundy and warm brown tones create a beautiful contrast in the outdoor set.
Layers & Textures
The outdoor set is the perfect place to transform your indoor outfit without changing completely.
You can add:
• wool coats
• cardigans
• chunky knits
• velvet
• corduroy
• scarves
• faux fur details
• leather or suede boots
These layers add warmth, texture and visual interest while keeping the overall look connected to your indoor outfit.
Easy Transitions Between the Two Sets
If you are wearing cream or camel indoors, add burgundy or chocolate for the winter set.
If your indoor outfit includes navy, add camel, cognac, burgundy or chocolate.
If you are wearing burgundy indoors, layer it with cream, camel or warm brown.
If you choose forest green, pair it with cream, camel or warm brown for the winter set.
You do not need to follow these combinations exactly. Think of them as simple starting points for creating two different looks from the same outfit.
How to Coordinate Family Outfits
The easiest rule to follow is:
Coordinate, don’t match.
Choose a palette of around three colours and spread them across the family rather than dressing everyone in exactly the same shade.
For example:
• cream + camel + burgundy
• cream + chocolate + wine
• ivory + taupe + forest green
• cream + camel + navy, with burgundy or cognac added for the winter set
Not every colour needs to appear on every person.
One child might wear cream, one parent camel and the other burgundy. The outfits will still feel connected without looking overly coordinated.
You can then repeat one of the colours subtly through a cardigan, scarf, shoes or another small detail.
The overall aim is for everyone to look like they belong together, while still keeping their individual style.
What to Avoid
To keep the photographs feeling elegant and cohesive, I would avoid:
• neon colours
• large logos
• character clothing
• too many different patterns within the same family
• dressing everyone in exactly the same colour
• predominantly black, charcoal or navy for the winter set
A subtle pattern can work beautifully. The problem usually comes when several different prints compete with each other in the same photograph.
If you are unsure, the simpler option will usually photograph better.
Shoes & Studio Policy
Please remove your outdoor shoes when entering the studio.
Please bring any shoes you would like to wear in the photographs separately, in a bag, with the soles thoroughly cleaned with soap and water before your session.
A quick wipe is not enough, as the sets and studio floor need to stay clean for every family.
If the soles are not clean, you won’t be able to wear those shoes on the set.
For photographs without shoes, simple socks or knitted socks usually work best.
Very short trainer-style socks are best avoided, as they can look distracting in full-length photographs.
Preparing Children for the Session
Before leaving home, please make sure children have clean hands, clean hair and tidy nails.
It also helps enormously if they arrive well rested and have eaten beforehand.
During the session, I do not expect children to sit perfectly still or smile on command.
Depending on their age and personality, I may ask for a little help getting their attention. A familiar song, clapping, a favourite phrase, a little dancing or a simple game can work beautifully.
I will guide the session and take care of the photography. Your job is simply to be there with them and help them feel comfortable.
I don’t expect children to sit perfectly still or smile on command.
Contact
If you have any questions before your session, the easiest way to reach me is on WhatsApp:
Please check your email before your session, as your appointment reminder and any important updates will be sent there.
I’m looking forward to welcoming you to the studio.
Elberta
Elberta Pictures